Why More Girls Are Playing Football:
Why More Girls Are Playing Football: The Rise of Girls' Flag and How Boardwalk Beasts Leads the Way
Breaking Down Barriers on the Gridiron
The football field has traditionally been dominated by boys and men, but that landscape is rapidly changing. Girls across the country are picking up flags, learning routes, and diving into the game at unprecedented rates. At Boardwalk Beasts Football Club, we've witnessed this revolution firsthand—and we're proud to be leading the charge in creating opportunities for young women on the gridiron.
The numbers don't lie: girls' participation in flag football increased by a staggering 105% in the 2023-24 season compared to the previous year, with nearly 43,000 girls now playing the sport nationwide. And this is just the beginning of a movement that's reshaping youth sports across America.
The Flag Football Explosion: Why Now?
Several factors have converged to create the perfect storm for girls' flag football growth:
1. Expanding High School Programs
State athletic associations are embracing girls' flag football at remarkable speed. Illinois alone has over 100 high schools committed to participating in their inaugural girls' flag football state series in 2024, with 40 more planning to join in 2025. Colorado is starting with 70 schools in their first official season and expects to double that number by 2030.
"We're seeing state associations that previously hadn't considered flag football now developing comprehensive programs with championships and recognition equivalent to other established sports," says Coach Melissa Rivera, who leads our girls' flag program at Boardwalk Beasts. "This creates a legitimate pathway for young athletes."
2. Safety Considerations
As awareness around concussion risks in tackle football continues to grow, many families are turning to flag football as a safer alternative that still delivers the strategic complexity and athletic challenges of the sport.
3. Professional Visibility
With the NFL's support of girls' and women's flag football and increasing media coverage of women in football roles—from coaches to officials—young girls now have visible role models in the sport.
4. The Inclusive Nature of Flag
Flag football emphasizes speed, agility, and strategic thinking rather than size and strength alone, creating a more level playing field where athletes of all body types can excel.
"What I love about flag is that it rewards quickness and smart decision-making," says 14-year-old Boardwalk Beasts player Jasmine Taylor. "You don't have to be the biggest person on the field to be the most valuable."
The Benefits Beyond the Game
The surge in girls' flag football participation delivers advantages that extend far beyond the field:
Building Athletic Foundations
Flag football develops fundamental athletic skills that transfer to multiple sports: hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, quick directional changes, and cardiovascular endurance.
Team Dynamics and Leadership
The sport creates opportunities for young women to experience team cohesion, leadership roles, and the ability to perform under pressure—all valuable life skills.
Closing the Participation Gap
Research consistently shows a troubling gap in girls' sports participation compared to boys, particularly during adolescence. Flag football programs provide another entry point to keep girls engaged in physical activity during crucial developmental years.
Confidence Through Competition
"I've watched shy girls transform into vocal leaders after just one season of flag," notes Coach Rivera. "There's something about succeeding in a sport traditionally dominated by boys that builds a special kind of confidence."
How Boardwalk Beasts Leads the Way
At Boardwalk Beasts Football Club, we recognized the potential of girls' flag football early and have built one of the region's most comprehensive programs. Here's how we're setting the standard:
Dedicated Girls' Flag Programs
Unlike organizations that treat girls' flag as an afterthought, we've developed specialized clinics and teams with curricula designed specifically for female athletes.
Female Coaching Leadership
We prioritize having women coaches who serve as both technical instructors and role models, showing our athletes that football knowledge isn't gender-specific.
Year-Round Development
While some programs offer girls' flag as a seasonal activity, our athletes can train and compete throughout the year, allowing for continuous skill development.
Competitive Pathways
From recreational beginners to elite competitive teams, we've built a progressive structure that allows girls to advance based on their interest level and ability.
Integration with Boys' Programs
"We don't isolate our girls' program as something separate from 'real football,'" explains David Schuman, CEO of Boardwalk Beasts. "We share facilities, resources, and even run co-ed training sessions where appropriate. This integration sends a powerful message about equality in the sport."
Success Stories from the Field
The impact of our approach is evident in the experiences of our athletes:
Sarah Johnson, now a high school sophomore, started in our flag program at age 10. She now plays varsity flag football and serves as a junior coach for our youngest girls' teams.
"Before joining Beasts, I didn't know girls could even play football," Sarah says. "Now I can't imagine my life without it. The coaches here never treated me like I was doing something unusual—they just pushed me to be the best player I could be."
The Raptors, our 12U girls' flag team, went from losing every game in their first tournament to winning the regional championship last season—a testament to our development model.
Coach Alicia Washington began as a parent volunteer and, through our coaching development program, has become one of the most sought-after flag football instructors in the region.
The Future is Flagged
The growth trajectory for girls' flag football shows no signs of slowing. With the sport being considered for inclusion in future Olympic Games and college scholarship opportunities expanding, today's young players have unprecedented opportunities ahead.
At Boardwalk Beasts, we're preparing for this future by:
- Expanding our girls-only flag football clinics to accommodate growing demand
- Developing advanced training for coaches specific to working with female athletes
- Creating more competitive tournament opportunities
- Building relationships with high school and college programs to create advancement pathways
Join the Revolution
If you have a daughter, niece, or young woman in your life who might be interested in trying flag football, there's never been a better time. Our upcoming girls' flag clinics welcome players of all experience levels, from complete beginners to experienced athletes.
"The most common thing we hear from new girls in our program is 'I wish I'd started sooner,'" says Coach Rivera. "So don't wait—the field is waiting."
Breaking Barriers, Building Champions
The rise of girls' flag football represents more than just growth in participation numbers—it's a fundamental shift in how we think about gender and sports. At Boardwalk Beasts, we're proud to be at the forefront of this movement, creating spaces where young women can discover their strength, speed, and strategic thinking on the football field.
As we look to the future, we're committed to continuing to lead the way—not just in developing elite athletes, but in using flag football as a vehicle for building confidence, community, and character in the next generation of young women.
Ready to join the fastest-growing sport for girls in America? Check out our upcoming events or contact us to learn more about how your daughter can become part of the Boardwalk Beasts family.
The flags are flying, and girls are leading the charge. Will you be part of what comes next?
About Author
